After what seemed like an eternity of training, the boys were finally able to run out and play a proper match of rugby. The match started a bit nervy for the boys as we haven't had that much outdoor training or opposition running. Furthermore, we were introducing no less than five new players to the side and playing against an improved Colorado Rush side.

The Rush definitely started on front foot and the boys did well to handle the opening push. This led to a penalty which resulted in an attacking lineout insided the 22 that was unfortunately misshandled but quickly picked up by the scrumhalf and shipped out to the backs who quickly sent it through the hands and was touched down in the corner by wing Chris Ng (4' 5-0 C. Ng). Then after more sustained pressure by the Rush, the forwards created another turnover. A great break was made by new player Jeff Van Geete, who off loaded to Johnny English, then to Kyle Ekstrom who found Perry "Taz" Chancellor who was able to take it all the way for a great team try that went from inside our own 22 meter line to a try (9' 12-0 Taz, Keener). The boys kept the pressure up, off another lineout, misshandled but picked up and shipped out wide through the backs. The ball came back inside to support from Charlie Keener to Kyle Ekstrom, to Ed Doka, to Dan Herr, Luke Porter and eventually Scott Izat ran it in (21' 19-0 Izat, Keener). Off the ensuing kickoff Gabe Buzinski took the kickoff and stiff armed the opposition and raced down to 10 meters out. Off the ruck the ball was passed out to Scott Izat who touched it down to next to the posts (23' 26-0 Izat, Keener). Jeff Westbrook then got in on the action with a great take and run (28' 33-0 Westbrook, Keener). Under sustained defensive pressure from a lineout and following a poor Rush clearance kick that was collected inside the attacking 22 by Johnny English, hardworking Gabe Buzinski got his try (35' 40-0 Buzinski, Keener). To close out the half the boys worked the ball side to side and sprung Chris Ng again to bookend the half (38' 45-0 C. Ng). Halftime.

The Rush once again came out firing and quickly earned a penalty which was struck with purpose making it 45-3. Off the ensuing kickoff, sustained pressure saw a turnover, which was sent to the weak side and sprung winger Chris Ng for his hat trick (43' 52-3 C. Ng, Keener). In the 50', defending a lineout that was turned over saw us go from defense to offense in a hurry. The ball was quickly scooped up and shipped out to the backs and eventually found Hayden Kinnear who took it in and touched down under the posts (50' 59-3 Kinnear, Keener). Once again another turnover off a lineout saw the ball quickly spun wide, this time the ball found its way to "Angry" Derek Kerr who shrugged off a few would be tacklers and scored his first try for Queen City after one year with the club (56' 66-3 Kerr, Kinch). The next phase was great team play, the forwards turned over a scrum and played the ball to the backs. The forwards then had their turn to run and the ball. After winning the ruck, the ball was then spun back out wide, Hayden Kinnear ended up turning the corner and racing into the try zone to touch down under the posts (61' 73-3 Kinnear, Kinch). After sustained pressure in the attacking 22, Johnny English decided to go it alone after the forwards won a scrum and a ruck. He picked up at the base of a ruck and used his speed and touched down to the left of the posts (66' 80-3 English, Kinch). One memorable try, the forwards decided to put together a nice rolling maul, and this was a thing of beauty. Starting outsided the 22 and making about 10-15 meters of ground before big Eric Gustafson broke free from the back with a smile on his face and one man to beat. Honestly you could see it in his eyes...the thought process, stiff arm, side step, who am I kidding, run this guy over, and that is what he did (70' 85-3 E.Gustafson). Final try of the game came off a turnover, the boys saw space behind the defense and kicked over. The chase was impressive and the support was great which resulted in a try for Luke Porter who was in support to receive the offload as the defense was closing in (92-3 Porter, Kinch).

Full Time: 92-3

Tries: Porter, Buzinski, Westbrook, English, Izat 2, C. Ng 3, Chancellor, Kinnear 2, E. Gustafson, Kerr

Conversions: Keener 7, Kinch 4

B-Side:

First run out getting some guys some time, some guys had to ironman up and play a lot of rugby on Saturday, thank you. Right off the bat our SH was a beast running the ball and routinely took multiple defenders to take him down. Alex Knorr was decisive with both his pass and his boot at number 10. The pack continued to dominate in the B-side match just as they did in the a-side match. A shout out to old boy Craig Mills who came out to play in the B-side match. Adam Kuhl saw his first game action in the sport of rugby ever in this match! Josh Evans made a comeback after being out of the game for awhile..

The first try was some hard running by our scrum half who was not be denied and bullied his way over for the score (5-0 SH). The next move saw the ball come out to the backs and Jesse McKinley take a decisive line at pace and power through the line and touch it down under the posts (12-0, McKinley, SH Conversion). The pack was controlling possession and from a scrum the ball came to Alex who did a quick show of the ball and quick step and shot through the hole like a cannon and was off to the races and touched it down under the posts (19-0 Knorr, SH Conversion). Finally after controlling all the possession the forwards got one of their own over the line as Chris Gustafson bundled one over for the boys (24-0 C. Gustafson). The boys did have to with stand one feverous push for the try line by the Rush at the death. The defense held and the boys came away with a well deserved shutout victory.

Full Time: 24-0

Tries: SH, McKinely, Knorr, C. Gustafson

Conversions: SH 2

Match details

Match date

Sat 08 Mar 2014

Kickoff

13:00

Team overview